Purpose: Catchers need to think of themselves as a banana: the gear is just an outer layer of skin. These drills focus on getting acquainted to the equipment, footwork, hand-eye coordination, endurance and quickness. It is important to have separate softball drills for catcher when one considers softball coaching.

Procedure: Prepare a full catcher’s gear for each person and balls. For indoor work wear wrestling knee pads instead of shin guards. Have two catchers face each other while standing in a circle. Use the basketball tip-off circle when indoors. While wearing full equipment (no mitts; mask is optional) shuffle around the circle while playing underhand catch with the ball and listening for verbal instructions. The toss should reflect most of the commands (see below). Attempt to frame every toss. Even the catcher without the ball should perform each command. After each skill, continue on playing catch.

Purpose: To know the importance of keeping the ball in front. To accustom your catcher to being hit by the ball. Blocking is an important of softball catching and must be practiced.

Procedure: Have your catcher in full gear. Catcher does not use their gloves.

The blocking drills are a two-step process:

The first phase: catcher will be on her knees with her hands behind her back. Coach will stand not more than 3 feet away with the balls. Bounce the balls into the chest of the kneeling catcher while she attempts to form a wall with her body and block the ball while keeping it in front

The second phase: The catcher will assume the proper catching position behind the plate. Bounce balls off the ground and into the chest of catcher. Catcher is not trying to catch each ball. Rather, she is simply trying to let the ball hit her chest and keep it in front.

Coach must demonstrate this drill before letting the players try it. The partner or coach who will be bouncing the softball must make good tosses so that the ball hits her in the chest

Purpose: To practice the catcher to field bunts. It’s important to put several softball fielding tip in catching drills to improve catcher’s performance.

Procedure: As catcher, you’re positioned at home plate in full equipment. A coach or another catcher will stand behind you with softballs. Start in your receiving position as if there was a runner on base. The coach or other catcher will toss out a “bunt” to various spots on the infield. You will spring forward and set your feet to field the bunt properly and make the throw. After that or four bunts, switch with your partner. Bunts should be tossed in various directions to work on different approaches.

Concentrate on the footwork involved with fielding bunts correctly. Catchers should be working on developing quick feet. Make sure they keep their masks on while making the throw.

Purpose: This is a great game to work on toughness, blocking technique, concentration and endurance. Softball Catching Drills are a must during training to develop good and tough catchers

Procedure: Catcher will need full catching gear and mitt. Have coach prepare a bat, tennis or regulation balls. Start catcher with dressing in full equipment with or without a mitt. The catcher starts in the squat position behind home plate. Throw or hit balls to the catcher from a close distance away. First pratice blocking with tennis balls for purpose of confidence. The move to regulation balls with easy tosses. Progress to hard throws depending on the skill level. Use rounds of 10 to 20 balls a piece. A succesful block is a ball kept in front within a 3-to-5 foot range which the catcher, in a real game, could retrieve a hold a runner from advancing to the next base. Rotate multiple catchers in and out. Those worthy of being called the “Human Road Block” will be loved by their sometimes wild pitchers.